Trump still has 33% support - why?

Summary of a YouTube talk by Dr David Benjamin MD – political commentator

There are five very different reasons why 55 million people approve of Trump

1. They are getting exactly what they want

• Rich people or business owners. They love Trump's tax breaks and regulatory policies because those policies help them keep or make more money.
• Immigration. They wanted tougher enforcement and more deportations. It's exactly what they voted for and it's exactly what Trump gave them and keeps giving them.
• Evangelical Christians. He's delivering on abortion, conservative judges, and the religious issues they care about. It does not matter to them that Trump is not remotely Christ-like.
• The culture war - DEI (Diversity, Equality Inclusion), transgender issues, guns, crime. Trump is fighting the fights that they want him to fight.

Trump can be a terrible president and a terrible person with all the chaos, the scandals and corruption but none of that really matters and probably never will. He's giving them what they want.

2. It hasn't happened to them yet

But Trump's policies are seriously affecting some of his followers but not all:

• The farmers who supported Trump and are now getting squeezed by record diesel prices and tariffs.
• MAGA cattle ranchers who are now furious with Trump about importing more Argentinian beef.
• Businesses and tourism that have strong links with Canada (not included in the talk)
• Immigration. There are people in MAGA who supported ICE until someone close to them was deported.

But for a lot of the remaining 33%, until it becomes personal, they will remain Trump supporters.

3. They can't admit they were wrong

If Trump is wrong it means admitting they were wrong, too. These are people:

• who were more deeply immersed in the Trump cult.
• who voted for him three times, defended him for years,
• argued with friends and family, posted about him, wore the MAGA hat
• maybe lost relationships over him.

To admit, I was wrong about Trump and other people were right comes with a large psychological price. It’s easier to find excuses than admitting that their own hero failed. 

Pride won't let them admit they were wrong.

4. They are brainwashed

It's almost impossible to overstate the power and influence of the MAGA media bubble. 

Day after day, they're hearing:

• the same stories, the same explanations, the same warnings, the same enemies. From:
• television, podcasts, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter (X). Reinforced by:
• their friends, their family, their church, their community

It's easier to fool someone than to convince them they've been fooled.

• Everyone else is lying - TV news, social media, friends & family
• Facts don't reach them.
  No information can get inside the bubble that challenges their beliefs
• Complex problems are made simple
  Black or white, good or bad, accept or reject. Trump patriots v Democrat traitors

5. Racism and White Nationalism

MAGA has provided a political home where racists and white nationalists feel they belong. MAGA offers policies, and a community where these attitudes are acceptable.
For some Trump supporters, racial attitudes and concerns about America becoming less white are a part of their beliefs and value system, and also a part of what attracts them to MAGA.

Conclusion

There probably isn't one thing that Trump can do that would suddenly make all of MAGA leave him, no matter how bad it is. 

Some may never reconsider what they believe. 

But some will change their minds
American democracy depends on it.

Link to Video